Light signal



April14, 1936. O.S. FIELD 2,037,650

LIGHT SIGNAL Filed Sept. 25, 1929 4 Sheets-Shet 1 FIG.1. I

, I I INVENTOR 34" a? BY 0. 5. M

April 14, 1936. I Q s HELD 2,037,650

\ LIGHT SIGNAL Filed Sept. 25, 1929 4Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGZ. I

- @ATTQ'RNEY 0. S. FIELD LIGHT SIGNAL A iil 14, 1936.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fi led, Sept. 25, 1929 lllllll" I I IHBUEKIUP ATTQR NEY April 14, 1936- O: 5 HELD Q 2,037,650

' LIGHT SIGNAL Filed Sept. 25, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 4

' ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIGHT SIGNAL Oscar S. Field, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to General Railway Signal Company, Rochester,

Application September 23, 1929, Serial No. 394,455

2 Claims.

This invention relates to signals particularly adapted for railway use, and has more specific reference to a direct current railway signal giving a plurality of indications.

It has been pro-posed to provide color light signals having a plurality of color screens which may be passed between the lens of the signal and its internal light source, such for example, as set forth in my pending application Ser. No. 10 128,437 filed August 10, 1926, now patent No.

1,835,150, to prevent phantom or false indications due to the reflection of external light sources.

Among the objects of this invention is to pro- 1 vide a unit type light signal giving a plurality of indications by means of movable color screens, as above mentioned, with these color screens operably controlled by direct current polar-neutral tractive type magnets.

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the present invention will be in part obvious from the accompanying drawings and in part pointed out as the description of the invention progresses.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts in the several figures, and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a rear elevational View of a signal 30 mechanism embodying the present invention with certain parts removed and with other parts shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a right hand side elevational view of the embodiment with portions shown in sec- 35 tion;

Fig. 3 is a left hand side elevational View of the embodiment with portions shown in section;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

40 Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing typical circuits in which the present invention may be used.

The color light signal, shown as one embodiment of the present invention, includes four dis- 45 tinctive groups of apparatus, namely, the devices used in the optical arrangement, the direct current polar-neutral tractive type motor mechanism, the operating mechanism, and the circuit controlling contacts. These various de- 50 vices are interrelated and cooperate in such a manner that the signal gives a plurality of indications of varying restrictiveness according to the presence and polarity of the energizing direct current.

55 Referring now to the drawings, color screens my above referred to application Ser. No. 128,437,

filed August 10, 1926.

It is considered sufficient for explaining the present invention to state, that the light rays from the incandescent bulb l and the reflector 6 meet at the external conjugate focal point F, which is at the center of the color screen then between the lamp unit and the lens unit (not shown). The light rays then spread from this focal point F and pass through a conical shield 9 to the lens unit. j

The casing 8 of the lamp unit is suitably secured to a casing Ill which in turn is suitably secured to the main frame member 3 of the signal unit.

This frame member 3 is of non-magnetic material andserves as a mounting for the motor mechanism. Two cores I I and 12 are mounted on the frame member 3 and have pole pieces I3 and I4 suitably connected to the frame member 3 (see Fig. 1). On the core members II and I2 are placed coils l5 and I6 having lead wires (not shown) connected to a terminal block I! mounted on a back strap I8 which is clamped to the cores II and 12 to furnish a good magnetic path therebetween.

Cooperating with the pole pieces l3 and I4 is a neutral armature 20 (see Fig. 3) mounted on suitable trunnions which turn in bearings 2| supported by a bracket 22 adjustable in respect to the frame member 3. On the neutral armature 20 are residual pins 23 which serve to determine the minimum air gap between the neutral armature 20 and its coacting pole pieces 13 and I4, thus eliminating the possibility of the neutral armature 20 becoming stuck in an energized position due to residual magnetism within the coacting members.

With reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the polar magnetic structure includes a support bracket 25 of magnetic material connected to the main frame member 3 by screws 26. This support bracket 25 is angular in form, with a horizontal portion 25 and a vertical portion 25 The horizontal portion 25 has'two upstanding hollow bosses which receive cores 21 and 28 upon which are mounted coils 29 and. 39. These core pieces 2! and 28 are magnetically inter-connected by the same back straps l8 which magnetically interconnect the core members II and I2.

The vertical portion 25 of the support bracket has attached thereto, by screws 3|, a yoke 32 of non-magnetic material, in which yoke is adjustably mounted a spindle 33 on trunnions 34. A polar armature 4B is mounted on the spindle 33, which armature is right angular in shape to correspond to the shape of the support bracket 25. This polar armature has a vertical portion which passes around the yoke 32 in a manner to be adjustably mounted upon the spindle 33. This arrangement permits the polar armature 40 to pivotally swing between the pole pieces l3 and I4 with the minimum air gap determined by residual pins 53.

The cores 2'! and 28, with their respective coils 29 and 30, may be conveniently termed in a collective manner, the polarizing electro-magnet, as the coils 29 and 39 are so connected that the corresponding ends of the cores 2'! and 28 have the same polarity, as for example, the upper ends north and the lower ends south as indicated by the reference characters N and S respectively (see Fig. 2), thus causing the polar armature 40 to always be of one polarity.

Similarly, the cores II and I2, with their respective coils l5 and I6, may be termed in a collective manner, the operating electro-magnet, as the coils I5 and I6 are so connected that the pole pieces l3 and I4 are of opposite polarity. This causes the flow of flux from the cores 2! and 28 to pass upwardly through the back straps it, down through one or the other of the cores I I or l2, depending on the particular direction of energization of the coils l5 and [6, through the corresponding pole pieces, to the horizontal portion of the polar armature 40, and thence through the horizontal and vertical portions 25 and 25 of the support member 25 to the lower ends of the cores 2! and 28. It is now apparent that the polar armature 40 being of one polarity will swing with its spindle 33 to have its horizontal portion in contact with one or the other of the pole pieces l3 or M, depending upon the direction of the current flow in the coils l5 and I6 of the operating electro-magnet. Also, upon energization of the operating electro-magnet, the neutral armature 20 is actuated to an energized position in the usual well known manner.

The above described magnetic structure is practically identical with that set forth in my pending application Ser. No. 305,408 filed September 12, 1928, now Patent No. 1,749,331, issued March 4, 1930, in which the construction and operation is set forth in detail.

The operating mechanism which operatively connects the motor mechanism with the color screens mounted upon the movable member 5, consists of connecting means between each of the armatures 20 and 40 respectively, and said movable member 5, in which member 5 the combined action of both armatures selects the less restrictive indications.

The movement of the armature 40, from its position in contact with the pole piece l3 to its other position in contact with the pole piece l4, controls the selection of either the green or yellow screen G or Y respectively to be positioned at the focal point F, if the neutral armature 20 is at that time energized, at which time the movable member 5 is raised from its lowered biased position in which the red color screen R is at the focal point F.

Attached to the spindle 33 and the vertical portion of the polar armature 40, is a lever 4| which is rigidly connected to an angularly shaped connector 42 which is pivotally connected to a vertical control lever 43. This vertical control lever 43 is pivotally connected at its upper end to a rocker arm 44. A guide member 45 is pivotally connected to the frame member 3 by a tap bolt 41 and is rocked on this pivot point by movement of the rocker arm 44 on its pivot point 35, which rocker arm 44 is slidab-ly connected to the guide member 46 within a slot 46 Attached to the movable member 5 is a guide bolt 48 which rides within a slot 46 within the guide member 46, in such a manner that when the movable member 5 is in its shown normal position, the center line of the guide bolt 48 coincides with the center line of the pivot point provided by the tap bolt 41. With the movable member 5 in its shown normal position, it rests upon a bracket 49 which is secured to the frame member 3 by a bolt 50.

The neutral armature 20 has connected to it a lever arm 52 which has an adjustable spring bracket 5| adjustaby tensioned by a bolt 54. Pivoted to this bracket 5| is a rod 55 which is also pivotally connected at the opposite end to a yoke 56 that is pivotally supported by bracket members 51 and 5'1 suitably attached to the frame member 3.

The yoke 56 is trunnioned in an adjustable bearing 58 within bracket member 51 and an adjustable spring tensioned anchor 59 within bracket member 51*. A spring 60 is attached at one end to the yoke 56 and at the other to the anchor 59 with the biasing tension such as to compensate for the weight of the movable member 5 and is definitely secured by a set screw Bl engaging the irregular periphery of the anchor 59.

A supporting lever 62 is suitably trunnioned in an adjustable bearing 64 within bracket member 5! and within adjustable bearing 65 within bracket member 5'! (see Fig. 3) and having its extreme end pivotally connected to movable member 5 (see Figs. 1 and 2). This supporting lever 62 is pivotally connected with the yoke 56 by a connecting link 66 which is connected to each member respectively by pins 51 and 68.

Thus, it is seen that the energizati-on of the neutral armature 20 raises the movable member 5 to an upper extreme position. At this time the center line of the guide bolt 48 is moved to such a position that the guide member 46 now has a lever arm to move the guide bolt 48 either in a clockwise or a counter clockwise direction. At the same time that the neutral armature 20 is energized, the polar armature 49 is actively attracted by either the pole pieces l3 or l4 depending upon the polarity applied, which results in the movement of the guide member 46 to either a right hand or left hand position, which selects either the color screen Y or the color screen G respectively.

As a polar armature of such a mechanism is more quick to respond to the energization of its operating coils, than is a neutral armature, it is possible for the guide member 45 to assume its selected position slightly before the neutral armature 20 raises the movable member 5 which permits the changing of the indication from that given by the color screen R. to the indication iven by the color screen Y without a passing shown) flash of the indication which might be given by the color screen G, if such were not the case.

A plurality of fingers 12, of like construction, is connected to the neutral armature 2-0, each finger comprising two spring mounting members 13 and 14. The member 13 carries a movable front contact 15 of coin silver or the like, to cooperate with a fixed front contact 16: of carbon, or the like, while the member 14 carries a movable back contact "I1 of coinsilver, or the like, to cooperate with a fixed back contact 18 of coin;

silver, or the like. These contacts can be used.

for any desired purposes.

Fixed to the yoke 32 is another yoke 80 which supports adjustable pivot points 8| and 8 2 serving as mountings for a support member 83. The support member 83 is operably controlled by the polar armature 40 through a slidable pivot provided by a roller 89, which is secured to support member 83. This roller 89 engages a slot in an arm 95 which is secured to the polar armature 40. A block 84 of insulating material is suitably attached to the support member 83. This block 84 carries a movable front contact 85 of coin silver, or the like, to cooperate with a fixed front contact 86 of carbon, or the like, while a movable back contact 81 is carried to cooperatewith a fixed back contact 88.

The terminal bolts and nuts for the back and front fixed contacts and for the movable contacts are suitably supported by an insulating terminal board 90 which is secured to the mainv frame member 3 by tap bolts 9|. The operating mechanism and contacts are further inclosed by a glass housing 92 which is secured in position by thumb nuts 93 threaded on stud bolts 94.

With reference to Fig. 5, a stretch of railway track has been shown as comprising sections A, B and C, insulated from each other by the usual insulated joints 99, andsignalled for the passage of traffic in an east bound direction. A signal S tonstructed according to the present invention is located at the exit end of track section A and entrance end of track section B. Also a similar signal S is located at the exit end of track section B and entrance end of track section C. Associated with the track section A, Band C are the usual track relays and track batteries, of which a track relay T is shown as connected to the entrance end of the track section B and energized from a track battery TB located at the exit end of track section B, while a track relay 'I is shown connected to the entrance end of track section C and controlled by suitable track battery T (not A track battery TB is shown as a supply of energy for the exit end of track section A.

Associated with each of the signals S and S is a battery I and IOI respectively for energizing the polarizing electro-magnet of each signal. It is of course to be understood that these: batteries I00 and I0! may be replaced by other batteries or sources of energy at the signal location such as batteries TB and TB respectively.

Pole changing contacts I02 and I03 are operated by the neutral armature of the signal S which is represented by a dotted line, and similarly contacts I04 and I05 are operated by the neutral armature of the signal S The track relays T and T are of the polarneutral type having neutral contacts I06 and I01 respectively which assume energized positions each time the relay is energized. The relay T has polar contacts I08 and I09 while the relay T has polar contacts I I0 and I I I. These polar contacts assume right hand positions as shown when positive potential is applied to the left hand terminals; and assume left hand dotted line positions when negative potential is applied.

Let us assume that a train is passing in an east bound direction from track section A to track section B. The entrance of a train upon track section B deenergizes the track relay T so that the circuit energizing the operating electromagnet of signal S is opened at a front contact I06. The deenergization of the neutral armature of the signal S causes the contacts I02 and I03 to assume deenergized positions, in which positions the polarity of the current supplied to the tracksection A is reversed. Also, with the operating electro-magnet of the signal S deenergized, the said signal displays its mostrestrictive indication, such as red,

The passage of this train from track section B into track section C causes, the deenergization of the track relay T which similarly causes the deenergization of the operating electro-magnet of signal S by the opening of its circuit at front contact I01. I05 operated by the neutral armature of signal S to assume deenergized positions, in which positions the polarity of the current applied to the track section B is reversed, which reverses. the polar contacts I08 and I09 of the track relay T to left-hand dotted line positions.

With negative potential applied to the left hand terminal of the track relay T the neutral contact I06 is in an energized position and the polar contacts I08 and I09 are in left hand dotted line positions, thus energizing the operating windings of the signal S with reverse polarity.

This energization of signal S energizes the contacts I02 and I03 which apply potential to the track section A of the normal polarity. Thus, the signal in the rear of signal S displays a least restrictive indication, such as green, while the signal SPdisplays an indication of intermediate restriction, such as yellow.

The signal S is of course displaying its most restrictive indication, such as red. However, when the train passes beyond the track section C, the track relay T will be energized with reversed polarity, in a similar manner as the track relay T is energized with reverse polarity when a train is in track section C. Also, with the train beyond the track section C, the signal S will display an indication of intermediate restrictiveness which energizes the contacts I04 and I05 to place normal polarity upon the track section B. This energizes the track relay T in the normal manner, as shown, so that the operating electromagnet of the signals is energized with normal polarity so that it displays its least restrictive indication. Further operation is merely a repetition of the functions heretofore described.

More specifically, the track relay T is energized from the track battery TB through a circuit traced as follows:--from the positive terminal of battery TB through wires I I2, II3, I I4 and H5, front contact I04, wire II6, the right hand rail of track section B, Wire II1, winding of relay T wire II8, left hand rail of track section B, wire II9, front contact I05, wires I20, I2I and I 22, to the negative terminal of track battery TB This circuit places positive potential on the left hand terminal of track relay T which actuates the neutral contact I06 to an energized position and the polar contacts I08 and I09 to right hand positions, as shown.

With the contacts of the track relay T in the positions shown, a normal energizing circuit for This causes the contacts I04 and.

the signal S is completed traceable as follows:- from the positive terminal of battery TB through wires I23 and I24, polar contact I09 in a right hand position, wire I25, operating electro-magnet of signal S wire I26, front contact I06, wire I21, polar contact I08 in a right hand position, wires I28, I29 and I30, to the negative terminal of track battery TB Deenergization, or shunting, of either the track relay T or '1 opens the energizing circuit at the respective neutral contacts of the relays for the operating electro-magnet of the associated signal S or S respectively, which causes the contacts controlled by the neutral armatures of the respective signals to assume deenergized positions. Assuming the signal S to be deenergized, the contacts I04 and IE5 are in deenergized positions which close the reverse energizing circuit for the track relay T That is, the polarity applied to the track relay T is reversed, so that the positive potential on wire H4 is placed on wire IIB through back contact I05, while the negative potential on wire I2!) is placed on wire II6 through back contact I04. This condition causes the polar contacts of track relay T to assume reverse positions, so that positive potential is applied to wire I26 and negative potential is applied to wire I as is obvious from the drawings.

All other pertinent circuits may be traced by analogy to those as above explained in detail.

A polar-neutral color light signal has been shown and described as giving a plurality of distinctive indications, the control of which is accomplished by polarized energizing circuits. Also, a typical example of circuits, in which it is possible to use such a signal, has been shown and described.

It is obvious from the preceding description that various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing therefrom, such for example, as the various combinations of contacts may be altered to obtain the desired circuits, the combination of contact materials may be changed from carbon to silver, or vice versa, or other similar materials may be used, etc. It might be further noted, that the motor mechanism of the signal can be altered to include permanent magnets in place of the polarizing electro-magnet, and still give the same functional operation of the signal. The specific embodiment is shown as including an electro-magnet because the desired degree of polarization is more easily obtained with an electro-magnet for the current flowing therein may be readily controlled.

Having described one specific embodiment of a polar-neutral color light signal in accordance with the present invention, it is to be understood that all alterations, modifications and adaptations which may be applied to the present invention to meet the requirements of practical applications, are to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I now claim:

1. In a color light signal, in combination, a neutral armature, a polar armature, coils for operating the armatures, a spectacle, a plurality of screens of varying restrictiveness in the spectacle, a pivot on the spectacle, a connection between the pivot and the neutral armature whereby operation of the neutral armature moves the pivot, a slot frame, a pivot at one end of the slot and carrying the frame, a pin on the spectacle received in, and slidable in, the slot of the frame, a connection between the frame and the polar armature whereby operation of the polar armature rocks the frame on its pivot, the spectacle being biased to give its most restrictive indication with its pin in the frame slot and at the frame pivot when the coils are de-energized, energization of the coils causing the neutral armature to move the spectacle pin along the frame slot and away from the frame pivot, to move the less restriotive screens toward indicating position.

2. In a color light signal, in combination, a neutral armature, a polar armature coils for operating the armatures, a spectacle, a plurality of screens of varying restrictiveness in the spectacle, a pivot on the spectacle, a connection between the pivot and the neutral armature whereby operation of the neutral armature moves the pivot, a slot frame, a pivot at one end of the slot and carrying the frame, a pin on the spectacle received in, and slidable in, the slot of the frame, a connection between the frame and the polar armature whereby operation of the polar armature rocks the frame on its pivot, the spectacle being biased to give its most restrictive indication with its pin in the frame slot and at the frame pivot when the coils are de-energized, energization of the coils causing the neutral armature to move the spectacle pin along the frame slot and away from the frame pivot, to move the less restrictive screens toward indicating position and causing the polar armature to swing the frame on its pivot and rock the spectacle to selectively bring one or the other of the less restrictive screens intol indicating position, dependent upon thel polarity of energizing current for the coils.

OSCAR S. FIELD. 

